MPA Development Practice
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 120)
The Masters of Public Administration in Development Practice (MPA-DP) is a two-year fulltime programme that offers professional trans-disciplinary graduate degree training that addresses the challenges of sustainable development through a blend of rigorous academic courses and practical engagements. The MPA-DP is delivered by staff from all faculties across the university, in collaboration with leading scientific researchers, and national and international organisations with specialist skills.
The goal of this programme is to produce rounded development practitioners with a deep understanding of scientific methods and techniques to reduce global poverty, in addition to extensive on-the-ground training with international organisations. The MPA in Development Practice is rooted in evidence that effective public policy must be based science-based. Course offerings include a blend of traditional class-room based modules and two internships including one in an internatinal organisation.
Candidates develop specialist skills in:
Economic Policy and Analysis
Statistics; Impact Measurement in Development
Research design, methodology, and methods
Sector analysis
Students also produce a dissertation on a specialist research area of their choice.
Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
To qualify for a place on the Master of Public Administration Development Practice, students must hold a primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1) or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
University English language requirements apply for students whose first language is not English.
Programme Outcomes
By the end of the programme a student should be able to:
1.Explain the contemporary structure and challenges of development practice in areas of development management, development science and technology, development governance, development and global health, and development monitoring and evaluation
2.Effectively participate in, and provide project management and team leadership for, development interventions
3.Operate safely and effectively in fragile and post-conflict development situations
4.Conduct professional program and policy evaluations
5.Engage in a specialized area of development practice
6.Work in teams
7.Prepare and present briefings to high-level development practitioner and government policy makers
Comment
Student Internships
Year 1
Students undertake one within-country placement. This will be GPA Neutral.
Year 2
Students undertake internships in leading international organisations. Professional research placements will be run across governments, in partnership with universities, in developing countries for OECD students but in developed countries for non-OECD students.
The placements can be with the private sector or civil society once they align with the Sustainable Development Goals project and have been accredited by the UN either as members of the UN Major Groups or have signed up to the UN Compact or the UN PRI frameworks.